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Train derailment near Rincon causes mess but no injuries

By James Staley / jstaley@lcsun-news.com

Posted:
11/27/2012 10:19:32 PM MST

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New tracks are being brought Wednesday near the site of a train derailment. It's unclear whether these tracks were brought in for general maintenance or because of the derailment, which happened Tuesday night about two miles north of mile marker 35 near the Rincon exit of Interstate 25.

LAS CRUCES — Authorities say a southern New Mexico rail line is back open following a train derailment.

It left a sizable mess in the desert outside Rincon, but a freight train derailment late Tuesday night was otherwise mostly harmless, officials said.

No injuries have been reported from the crash, which occurred around 9:40 p.m., and it did not result in the spill of any hazardous chemicals, according to Capt. Rich Libicer of the New Mexico State Police, which is investigating the derailment.

Libicer added the derailment included a car marked for hazardous materials, but the train's manifest said it was empty.

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad train carrying mixed freight was traveling southeast, from Belen to El Paso, when 14 cars left the tracks, BNSF spokesman Joe Faust said Wednesday. Libicer said there was a lot of lumber at the scene.

Faust said BSNF officials are conducting their own investigation, and that it would be premature to speculate on the cause of the derailment.

Libicer said the track in the area about two miles north of Rincon appeared to be "broken" or had "some other flaw."

By 1 p.m., Faust said the cars had been placed back onto the track.

According to the latest data from the Federal Railroad Administration, this is the first train to derail in Doña Ana County this year.

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There has been one other unspecified incident involving a train this year within the county.

This is the 10th derailment in New Mexico this year, but the FRA's most recent data goes from January to August.

Libicer said the stretch of track is still closed and that "it will take a while to clean up" and repair.

New Mexico Public Regulation Commission spokesman Arthur Bishop said the FRA would handle the investigation.

According to an overview of how the FRA conducts investigations, the agency's investigators "are required and expected to take as long as necessary in order to methodically evaluate and analyze all physical and factual evidence to objectively determine the probable cause of an accident."

Investigations vary in length, but the FRA "seeks to complete all major accident/incident investigations within 270 days."

At that time, a formal report is produced.

FRA spokesman Mike Murray said that agency can levy civil penalties and fines, if the investigation discovers violations surrounding the derailment.

James Staley may be reached at 575-541-5476. Follow him on Twitter @auguststaley

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

(9:32 a.m.)

LAS CRUCES — No one was injured when a cargo train derailed along Interstate 25, about two miles north of mile marker 35 Tuesday night, near the Rincon exit.

The country sheriff's office received a call at 9:40 p.m., spokeswoman Kelly Jameson said.

Deputies responded to assist officials with the New Mexico State Police and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.

Approximately 30 cars were involved, Jameson said. Fire crews were called to the scene because one of the cars may have contained a hazardous substance, Jameson said. Fire officials determined there was no threat to the public.

The investigation has been turned over to the state police.

Of the roughly 30-car train, some 10 may have jumped the tracks, said Capt. Rich Libicer of the New Mexico State Police. The car marked as possibly carrying hazardous materials was found to be empty. The train carried mostly lumber.

BNSF crews remain on scene to monitor the cleanup.

Check back for updates as they become available.

(10:23 p.m.)

LAS CRUCES — No one was injured when a cargo train derailed on the I-25 two miles north of mile marker 35 Wednesday night.

The country sheriff's office received a call at 9:40 p.m., spokeswoman Kelly Jameson said.

Two deputies are in route to find out more information and to determine what the train was carrying, she said.